Nigerian Grilled Chicken
Bone-in chicken pieces, hung curd and red chile powder come together in this chicken — 60 minutes, 6 steps, and the kind of result worth repeating. Scroll down for the ingredient checklist, a serving scaler and unit converter, and the method broken into 6 steps.
You'll mainly reach for grill / broiler and pan. At medium difficulty across 6 steps, it's manageable with a little attention.
What you'll need
Shopping list (4)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: contains meat, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Dairy
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Pat the chicken pieces dry and cut a few deep slashes into each one so the marinade can penetrate to the bone.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the hung curd, ginger paste, garlic paste, red chile powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, lemon juice, oil, and salt into a thick marinade.
- Coat the chicken thoroughly in the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight for the best flavor.
- Bring the chicken to room temperature, then heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates.
- Grill the chicken, turning every few minutes and basting with any leftover marinade, for about 20 to 25 minutes until charred at the edges and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then squeeze over a little fresh lemon and serve hot with sliced onions.
You'll use: Grill / broiler · Pan · Whisk · Grill pan
Ingredient substitutions
- Lemon
- lime · 1 tbsp white wine vinegar per lemon
Tips & common questions
How long does Nigerian Grilled Chicken take to make?
About 60 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 6 steps and 10 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of lemon?
Try lime. See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
How should I store leftovers?
Cool leftovers quickly, refrigerate in an airtight container, and eat within 3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout.
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Adapted recipe — rewritten in our own wording from an open-licensed community cookbook, not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Nigerian Grilled Chicken is adapted by Consomee from the Wikibooks Cookbook, rewritten in our own wording and used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo: Grilled chicken meat.jpg (CC0) via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.